Founded in 1985, TNT Crane & Rigging Inc. is one of the largest crane service providers in North America utilizing hydraulic truck, all terrain and crawler cranes with lifting capacity up to 1,300 tons, plus a comprehensive inventory of gantry jacks, forklifts, rigging equipment and tractor/trailers. This year, the company is cel
ebrating its 30th anniversary. TNT delivers lifting solutions safely and efficiently to customers across diverse industries including oil and gas, refining, petrochemical, power and commercial end markets.
In 2014, TNT was named one of the 100 fastest growing companies in the Houston area by the Houston Business Journal. Ranked at No. 23, the company has achieved this rapid growth both organically and through acquisition. Last year, the company completed a number of strategic moves that began with the establishment of a greenfield branch in Fort Dodge, Iowa, to service the wind, ethanol production and industrial market sectors in the region. The next step was the acquisition of Rent-A-Crane located in Oklahoma City. This acquisition not only further strengthens the company’s position in the oilfield but also enhances the customer base in the infrastructure, power and commercial markets, which are important vertical market sectors within Oklahoma. Finally, TNT completed its first international venture into Western Canada with the acquisition of Stampede Crane & Rigging Inc. and Eagle West Truck & Crane Inc. (collectively Stampede/Eagle West). Stampede/Eagle West services the energy, power, infrastructure, construction and commercial end-markets in British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan provinces.
Last year, TNT introduced two cantilever bars to its Specialty Lifting operations. These custom-designed systems have been utilized in both industrial and commercial settings to provide simple solutions to complex lifting situations. The bars feature several safety features including automated braking systems and wireless control.
The key to success at TNT can be attributed to the hard work and dedication of every employee to the company’s goal, “to be the benchmark by which others are judged in the heavy lift and transport industry.” The following is a recap of key highlights from this past year.
Incident & Injury-Free® journey
In early 2014, Mike Appling, CEO, and Kregg Lunsford, president, made the commitment to create a culture absent of incident and injury. Their decision was driven by the desire for every employee to arrive at work and return home safely in the same condition each day.
To help them in this process, they partnered with JMJ Associates to help implement the “Incident and Injury-Free (IIF) Safety Approach.” JMJ describes this process in the following excerpt from its website: “Our Incident and Injury-Free® (IIF®) safety approach challenges the status quo that incidents and injuries are simply a ‘part of the job.’ Through our IIF approach, we work with leadership teams and employees at all levels to create change in people, processes, culture and organizations. This approach results in a breakthrough in performance consistent with an authentic commitment to work without any injuries or incidents: Transformation.”
TNT began the Incident and Injury-Free journey by securing input directly from its employees using surveys. Each employee was asked questions about TNT’s safety culture, commitment and areas for improvement. The information from the surveys was compiled and provided to TNT management, and the output formed the basis for the implementation plan.
The next step in the implementation was to hold several off-site Commitment Workshops for all company managers. The employee survey output was shared at each workshop, and the participants discussed key elements of IIF to gain a better understanding of their personal role. These workshops allowed the group to forge relationships and consider how to create an incident and injury-free environment. In the end, each person shared his or her personal safety commitment with fellow participants.
To guide and oversee the journey, TNT formed the IIF Leadership Team, which includes representation from multiple disciplines from all TNT companies. The IIF Leadership Team is responsible for creating the company vision as well as providing the necessary resources and commitment to the journey. The team meets monthly and provides guidance and direction to extend the vision and commitment and translate it into action.
One of the first tasks the IIF Leadership Team completed was the development of an Incident and Injury-Free Vision Statement to reflect the long-term desired change for the people, processes, culture and organization. This simple statement is intended to help everyone focus on what is really important. The IIF Vision Statement reflects the passion and hopes for the company.
TNT Crane & Rigging Incident and Injury-Free VISION STATEMENT
We will create:
A world where we hold human life and its preservation as the highest of values.
An environment where Incident and Injury-Free is our way of life.
An organization in which “who we are” sends an unwavering message throughout the industry that we do what’s “right” because it’s the right thing to do.
A culture that places the utmost value upon our families, co-workers and ourselves.
A world where our commitment to excellence equally drives our personal and professional lives.
Leadership teams have been formed for Southway Crane & Rigging, Eagle West/Stampede and RMS Cranes. In addition, teams have been established at the regional level to more deeply expand the process model.
In order to reach all employees and create future process sustainability, TNT developed a team of internal trainers to conduct IIF Orientation Workshops. The workshops introduce the IIF concepts to all employees companywide and help them understand the meaning of Incident and Injury-Free and their personal role. Workshops have been completed for 100 percent of the employees, and a continuance system has been established for training future employees.
At TNT, all employees have the responsibility and authority to stop work that does not comply with the company’s values. Each employee has been issued a Stop Work Authority card signed by senior management that he carries with him at all times. The card is a symbol to remind them their ideas and concerns are important, and they have the support and backing of the TNT management team.
The TNT IIF journey to elevate and further personalize the company culture is well underway, and TNT employees are making great strides in their transformations.
Expansion into the Rocky Mountain Region
In April, TNT announced it had acquired Rocky Mountain Structures Inc. and its subsidiaries (RMS). RMS, headquartered in Denver, is one of the largest crane and rigging services companies in the Rocky Mountain region. It has been serving Colorado and the surrounding states since 1977. The company has longstanding ties to the area and a well-diversified customer base, which make the business a natural strategic fit for TNT.
This acquisition further expands TNT’s contiguous geographic coverage, end-market exposure and fleet composition with the addition of three Colorado branches and 66 cranes. RMS serves the manufacturing, industrial, cell tower, power, commercial and construction markets as well as other end markets throughout the Rocky Mountain Region. With access to TNT’s significant resources and management experience, RMS will continue providing excellent service with the enhanced capability to take on new, larger and more complex projects.
Cody Gilliland, CEO of RMS, commented, “We are thrilled to be joining forces with TNT. The company is an industry leader with a proven successful track record not only for profitable growth but also for building a culture that puts its people first. This partnership enhances our ability to grow our business and creates opportunities for our employees. The economic outlook is solid for Colorado and the end markets we serve. In addition, the combined company will benefit from opportunities in the energy sector when oil prices and drilling activities return to sustainable levels.”
Today, TNT’s fleet has grown to over 620 cranes, which are operated at more than 38 branches throughout North America. With one of the youngest fleets in the industry, TNT’s customers are better served from a larger and stronger company with a high level of resource utilization flexibility.
For more information, visit www.tntcrane.com or call (800) 799-2505.
